violence

Physical force used to hurt people or damage things.

• The protest ended in violence.
• Police reported a rise in street violence.
• They teach children to solve problems without violence.

How to use it: violence against someone (The campaign aims to stop violence against women.)

Similar words: brutality

Common phrases: domestic violence, street violence, violence against someone, physical violence

Great force or strength, especially in a natural event or movement.

• The waves struck with great violence.
• We were amazed by the violence of the storm.
• The violence of the impact threw him forward.

How to use it: the violence of something (The violence of the wind frightened us.)

Similar words: force, intensity

Opposites: gentleness

Common phrases: the violence of, great violence, with violence